A joke made by Rebel Wilson at the 2020 British Academy Film Awards referencing Prince Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein has resurfaced as the BAFTAs prepare to return this weekend, prompting renewed discussion about the incident and the reaction of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Wilson, presenting the Best Director award, alluded to the scandal while addressing the audience at London’s Royal Albert Hall. According to reports from February 21, 2026, she jokingly stumbled over the name of the venue, saying, “It is really great to be here at the royal Andrew… royal Harry, no… the royal Phil… the royal palace place.” The remark, made while Prince William and Kate Middleton were seated in the front row, elicited a mix of reactions, with some attendees reportedly laughing and others appearing uncomfortable.
The joke came at a particularly sensitive time for the royal family. Prince Andrew had recently stepped down from royal duties following a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview in 2019, where he denied allegations made by Virginia Giuffre and defended his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He claimed to have “no recollection” of meeting Giuffre and stated his friendship with Epstein was “useful” for business opportunities.
Reports at the time indicated that William and Kate were visibly reacting to Wilson’s comments, with cameras cutting to them as they “stared up at her from the front row.” Some viewers described the joke as “cringe” and expressed sympathy for the Prince and Princess of Wales being placed in such a position during a public event. Others praised Wilson’s boldness, with one social media user stating, “Three cheers for the producer who cut to William and Kate after Rebel Wilson’s Prince Andrew and Harry joke.”
The incident was not the only awkward moment of the evening involving the royal couple. Margot Robbie, presenting on behalf of Brad Pitt, made a reference to “bringing” the award “back to the States with him,” prompting laughter from William and Kate.
In November 2025, King Charles III officially stripped Prince Andrew of his titles of ‘Prince,’ ‘Royal Highness’ and ‘Duke of York’ in response to ongoing controversy surrounding his association with Epstein. Prince William has served as the President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) since 2010, and continues to attend the annual awards ceremony alongside the Princess of Wales.
